This is the second update to the winter storm coming for the Lower GreatLakes.

Because the pictures I post may be so large, I will have to do more mini updates.

Anyways, there is a winter storm watch for the areas that will be the most impacted by this storm. The below image is forecast tracks for this storm.

That winter weather watch is in the dark blue in the above image. The following areas are in this watch: NW IL, SE WI, NE IA, S MN, NE ND, EXTREME SE SD. Those areas are predicted to receive, at the most, 6 inches.

While this storm still is only a day or two away, meteorologists are uneasy about putting out exact totals for areas. (Image by NWS)

The below images are from the HPC on their thoughts of the accumulation. The more inside a ring you are, the better chance of you receiving 4 INCHES OR MORE out of this storm.

In the image below, the same factor with the rings apply for 8 INCHES OR MORE.

The red ring is at least 70% chance

The Green ring is at least 40% chance

The blue ring is at least 10%.

So let’s run some models.

GFS—-

The GFS shows the main edge hitting Rockford, but then piling onto Chicago, just like yesterday. Then they show some lake effect snow in the area.

Since the forecast hasn’t changed very much, I’m going to use a reliable-unreliable count. Count is 1-0.

WRF—-

The WRF shows the main intensity hitting Rockford, but then using the rest of its energy on the Chicago area, leaving behind a more noticable lake effect area in Chicago. Count 2-0

UKMET—-

The UKMET says that the clipper will strike Chicago as weak. It said the same thing last night. However, with evidence against it, the count is now 2-1.

CMC—-

The CMC model says that the clipper will strike Rockford first, but then use the remainder of its energy on the rest of the N. Illinois area.

NOGAPS—-

The Navy NOGAPS model says that the system will strike just east of Rockford but still come into Chicago.